Uriah Heep

Released next Friday 26th May as part of their 50th anniversary celebrations, British Hard Rock legends Uriah Heep, release this collector's limited edition picture disc along with many more from their awesome catalogue,

Whilst this is not Heep in their ultimate pomp, the first four tracks on side 1, 'One Way or Another', the utterly fabulous 'Weep in Silence', 'Misty Eyes' and 'Midnight', sit well in any era of the Heep canon.

Indeed, 'One Way Or Another', sees both Ken Hensley and John Wetton sharing vocal duties, with an official book, John Wetton - An Extraordinary Life, also due to be published later this year at http://www.johnwettonbook.com about the late, legendary, singer/bass player.

'Can’t Keep a Good Band Down' starts side two in fine and self-effacing style and the closer 'Confession' is another fine track graced with the heartfelt lyric “I’m so sorry for the things I’ve done” delivered emotionally by Byron. The rest of the tracks are verging towards filler. but there is enough good stuff to make it a worthwhile addition to anyone’s collection.

Hensley as always delivers on keys, Mick Box (the only remaining member) provides his usual tight guitar work with a number of fine solos dotted throughout and the late, great Lee Kerslake is sublime on drums/percussion giving evidence of what a majestic artist he was.

Mick Box wasn’t a massive fan of the album calling it “less of the ‘eavy, more of the ‘umble” due to its move to a Poppier sound rather than the Classic Rock that had gone before, but enough magic remained to make this a worthwhile purchase.

The Vinyl picture disc, #9 in this collection is beautifully presented and sounds fantastic (making me now go off in search of others!) so comes recommended.

Les Linyard

Side One

One Way or Another
Weep in Silence
Misty Eyes
Midnight

Side Two

Can't Keep a Good Band Down
Woman of the World
Footprints in the Snow
Can't Stop Singing
Make a Little Love
Confession